Artists » Jóel Pálsson » About artist
Jóel Pálsson
Jóel Pálsson
The young saxophonist Jóel Pálsson is at the forefront of the jazz scene in the tiny North Atlantic country of Iceland and has, with his new album KLIF, put Iceland once again on the jazz map.
Born in Reykjavik, Iceland, in 1972, Jóel started studying the clarinet at the age of nine before turning to the saxophone at 15.
In 1992, he enrolled at the Berklee College of Music in the USA, where he received the BEST-scholarship and studied with musicians like George Garzone and Bill Pierce. He graduated in 1994 with the highest honors (summa cum laude).
Since returning to Reykjavik hes been an active player in the incredibly diverse Icelandic music scene, leading his own groups as well as appearing on over 50 albums with Icelands most prominent artists. He has performed in various countries, including the USA, Canada, Holland, France, Germany, England, Norway, Denmark, Sweden and Greenland.
With PRÍM (Naxos 86049-2), his debut CD, Jóel became Icelands first jazz star to achieve an international release. PRÍM is distributed by Naxos to over 40 countries and has received excellent reviews in the world media.
KLIF is Jóels second CD and has been described as no less magnificent than his previous outing. The band includes some of Icelands most prolific musicians: guitarist Hilmar Jensson has recorded with the likes of Tim Berne, Chris Speed and Jim Black, three of New York Citys more forward-thinking jazzbos; electric bass player Skúli Sverrisson has been based in New York for the past 10 years and performed with Alan Holdsworth, Laurie Anderson, Pachora, Arto Lindsey and many others.
He has recorded Seremonie for solo-prepared bass (Extreme), Desist with electronic composer Anthony Burr (Fire inc.), and played on over 50 other CDs. Percussionist/drummer Matthías Memstock has been an active and versatile player in Reykjavik, performing in rock bands, pit orchestras and with the Icelandic Symphony Orchestra, although jazz and improvised music now form the core of his work.